Chapter 18

           ItwasinthefourthyearofmyapprenticeshiptoJoe,anditwasaSaturdaynight.TherewasagroupassembledroundthefireattheThreeJollyBargemen,attentivetoMr.Wopsleashereadthenewspaperaloud.OfthatgroupIwasone.

           Ahighlypopularmurderhadbeencommitted,andMr.Wopslewasimbruedinbloodtotheeyebrows.Hegloatedovereveryabhorrentadjectiveinthedescription,andidentifiedhimselfwitheverywitnessattheInquest.Hefaintlymoaned,"Iamdonefor,"asthevictim,andhebarbarouslybellowed,"I’llserveyouout,"asthemurderer.Hegavethemedicaltestimony,inpointedimitationofourlocalpractitioner;andhepipedandshook,astheagedturnpike-keeperwhohadheardblows,toanextentsoveryparalyticastosuggestadoubtregardingthementalcompetencyofthatwitness.Thecoroner,inMr.Wopsle’shands,becameTimonofAthens;thebeadle,Coriolanus.Heenjoyedhimselfthoroughly,andweallenjoyedourselves,andweredelightfullycomfortable.InthiscoseystateofmindwecametotheverdictWilfulMurder.

           Then,andnotsooner,Ibecameawareofastrangegentlemanleaningoverthebackofthesettleoppositeme,lookingon.Therewasanexpressionofcontemptonhisface,andhebitthesideofagreatforefingerashewatchedthegroupoffaces.

           "Well!"saidthestrangertoMr.Wopsle,whenthereadingwasdone,"youhavesettleditalltoyourownsatisfaction,Ihavenodoubt?"

           Everybodystartedandlookedup,asifitwerethemurderer.

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